Condo tragedy probed; owner vows cooperation

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is investigating allegations that the real estate company that owns a condominium building, where 10 construction workers died in a tragic accident last Thursday in Makati City, violated some provisions of the Labor Code.

Likewise, the Makati City government said it is looking into the negligence of Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. and its contractor and sub-contractors that resulted in the accident.

In a statement, Eton management pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation conducted by the Makati City government, police, and DoLE.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the DoLENational Capital Region held hearing Friday and directed Eton Properties major contractor, and 19 sub-contractors to submit their position papers regarding the allegations.

“Eton submitted all relevant documents to the investigating bodies. The company also sent official representatives to all meetings called by the city government and DoLE,” said Eton President Danilo Ignacio.

He stressed that Eton will wait for the findings of ongoing investigations before issuing an official statement on what course of action it will take.

“Right now, our priority is to provide assistance to the victims’ families. Eton executives and representatives of its contractor, ARLO Aluminum, were at Funeraria Filipinas today (January 28) to facilitate the transfer of the remains to their loved ones. Together with ARLO Aluminum, we are fully committed to shoulder the medical, funeral, and other financial assistance to the families, including transporting the remains to various areas like Antipolo, Bulacan, and even Marinduque,” Ignacio said.

Although the 10 fatalities are employees of ARLO Aluminum, Ignacio said Eton is not turning its back on the victims’ families. “Immediately after the unfortunate ‘freak’ accident, we pledged to help the families,” he said.

Baldoz, in a phone interview, said that based on the interview of its quick response team with the other employees of Eton Properties the company has been withholding their other work benefits. “Based from the investigation team’s interview with the other employees of Eton, the company does not provide them minimum wage, Social Security System benefits, some safety and health equipment, and other basic entitlement. But their worst liability is the death of the worker,” she said.

Baldoz also said that she asked Eton Properties to pay for the P12,000 compensation claim of the families of the victims.

The construction of 39-story Eton building has been suspended by DoLE to prevent further accident in the construction site.

Baldoz said Eton Properties must first comply with occupational health and safety standards of the Labor Code before it can resume with its construction.

Meanwhile, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the city government is seeing strong evidence against the officials of Eton and its contractors which could lead to the filing of negligence charges.

“We are just on the process of gathering pieces of evidence to determine the sanctions over safety violations against the owner and contractors of the condominium project,” said Binay.

Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio, Makati City police chief, said safety engineers of Eton and its contractors might face negligence charges over the tragic incident.

Bonifacio said the safety engineers of both Eton Properties, its contractor C-E Construction Corp., and sub-contrator ARLO Aluminum are supposed to monitor round-the-clock the construction work at the site and see to it that all workers comply with the standard safety measures.

“One of the engineers told us they didn’t particularly see the workers cram themselves in the gondola lift which is supposed to carry up to three passengers only,” Bonifacio said. –SAMUEL P. MEDENILLA and ANNA LIZA T. VILLAS, Manila Bulletin